Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Leppert

Kevin L. Leppert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220016635
    Abstract: A meat grinder includes: a housing; a drive unit mounted in the housing, the drive unit including a motor; a screw conveyor comprising a barrel fixed relative to the housing, and an auger located within the barrel and operatively connected with the motor; a hollow feed chute having upper and lower ends, the lower end mounted on and configured to feed into the barrel; and a feed tray mounted on the upper end of the feed chute, the feed tray including an opening in communication with the upper end of the feed chute. The feed chute includes an inlet section of a first inner diameter that includes the upper end, a feed section of a second inner diameter that includes the lower end, the second diameter being less than the first diameter, and a funneled section between the inlet section and the feed section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin L. Leppert, Ernest B. Pryor, JR., Michael G. Sandford
  • Patent number: 10973372
    Abstract: A blender jar comprises a container portion defining a blending chamber and having an open top end, a lid for selectively closing off the open top end of the container portion, one or more selectively rotatable blades extending into the blending chamber, and an insert selectively insertable into the blending chamber. The insert comprises a tubular central body having (i) a side wall defining a central chamber and an open top end and (ii) a floor at least partially closing off a bottom end of the central body, a flange projecting circumferentially outward from the central body, and a plurality of fins projecting outward the lower portion of the central body. One or both of the floor and a lower portion of the central body having a plurality of holes defined therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L Leppert
  • Publication number: 20200029740
    Abstract: A blender jar comprises a container portion defining a blending chamber and having an open top end, a lid for selectively closing off the open top end of the container portion, one or more selectively rotatable blades extending into the blending chamber, and an insert selectively insertable into the blending chamber. The insert comprises a tubular central body having (i) a side wall defining a central chamber and an open top end and (ii) a floor at least partially closing off a bottom end of the central body, a flange projecting circumferentially outward from the central body, and a plurality of fins projecting outward the lower portion of the central body. One or both of the floor and a lower portion of the central body having a plurality of holes defined therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventor: Kevin L. Leppert
  • Publication number: 20190328171
    Abstract: A frothing accessory for a blender comprises a main body having a sidewall and a bottom wall. The sidewall has at least a first portion having a frustoconical shape. The bottom wall is at a wider end of the main body. The frothing accessory is adapted to be attachable to a blender jar to enable the frothing accessory to be selectively rotated about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Kevin L. Leppert
  • Patent number: 10441113
    Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff comprises a base enclosing a motor, a jar for containing foodstuff that is removably mountable to the base, and a lid removably mountable to the jar to selectively close off the top end. The lid comprises a main body having an opening defined therein, and a cap removably mountable to the main body to selectively close off the opening. When the cap is mounted to the main body and the lid is mounted to the jar, a tortuous airflow path is provided between the main body and cap to allow airflow into or out of the jar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Leppert, Justin Kyle Dickerson, Joseph R Elliott
  • Patent number: 10378821
    Abstract: A food dehydrator comprises a housing and a door slidably and pivotably affixed to the housing. The housing defines a food cavity and has an opening defined in the housing to enable access to the food cavity. The housing comprises opposing top and bottom walls, a back wall opposite the opening, and opposing side walls. The door is selectively movable between a closed position closing off the opening thereby blocking access to the food cavity and an open position enabling access to the food cavity. The door, when in the open position, may rest on the top wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Leppert, Joseph R Elliott
  • Publication number: 20190099042
    Abstract: A blender for blending foodstuff comprises a base enclosing a motor, a jar for containing foodstuff that is removably mountable to the base, and a lid removably mountable to the jar to selectively close off the top end. The lid comprises a main body having an opening defined therein, and a cap removably mountable to the main body to selectively close off the opening. When the cap is mounted to the main body and the lid is mounted to the jar, a tortuous airflow path is provided between the main body and cap to allow airflow into or out of the jar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin L. Leppert, Justin Kyle Dickerson, Joseph R. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20190055042
    Abstract: An improved vacuum sealer having a sealing bar with a plurality of heating elements, where the heating elements ultimately seal the entire length of a polymeric bag, but may be activated independently such that a portion of the bag may first be sealed, after which a vacuum force is applied to the bag such that the internal air is removed, after which the remainder the of the bag is sealed through application of power to the second heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin L. Leppert, David Matthew Schandel
  • Publication number: 20180306510
    Abstract: A food dehydrator comprises a housing and a door slidably and pivotably affixed to the housing. The housing defines a food cavity and has an opening defined in the housing to enable access to the food cavity. The housing comprises opposing top and bottom walls, a back wall opposite the opening, and opposing side walls. The door is selectively movable between a closed position closing off the opening thereby blocking access to the food cavity and an open position enabling access to the food cavity. The door, when in the open position, may rest on the top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin L Leppert, Joseph R Elliott
  • Patent number: 9004884
    Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly includes a housing within which at least a portion of a pump element can be disposed. The housing includes a first surface and a second surface and defines a cavity therethrough. The housing is configured to be coupled to a reservoir such that the first surface is disposed within an interior volume of the reservoir and the second surface is disposed outside the interior volume of the reservoir. The housing includes a seal portion configured to fluidically isolate the first surface from the second surface. The cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the pump element such that movement of the pump element produces a fluid flow from an inlet opening defined by the first surface and an outlet opening defined by the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Synerject LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Leppert, Jason D. Keown
  • Publication number: 20130061939
    Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly includes a housing within which at least a portion of a pump element can be disposed. The housing includes a first surface and a second surface and defines a cavity therethrough. The housing is configured to be coupled to a reservoir such that the first surface is disposed within an interior volume of the reservoir and the second surface is disposed outside the interior volume of the reservoir. The housing includes a seal portion configured to fluidically isolate the first surface from the second surface. The cavity is configured to receive at least a portion of the pump element such that movement of the pump element produces a fluid flow from an inlet opening defined by the first surface and an outlet opening defined by the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SYNERJECT LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. LEPPERT, Jason D. KEOWN
  • Patent number: 8360740
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing defining a first cavity containing a pump, a second cavity containing a filter and a lumen configured to provide fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. The housing has a first end portion configured to be disposed within a fluid reservoir and a second end portion including a flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to the fluid reservoir. A surface of the first end portion defines a first opening in fluid communication with the first cavity. A surface of the second end portion defines a second opening in fluid communication with the second cavity. A cover is configured to be removably coupled to the second end portion of the housing about the second opening such that the filter can be removed from the second cavity when the flange is coupled to the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Synerject, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Leppert, Jason D. Keown
  • Patent number: 8286802
    Abstract: A fuel delivery module includes a fuel filter housing and a cover. The fuel filter housing defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a fuel filter. A first end portion of the fuel filter housing includes a flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to a fuel tank. A second end portion of the fuel filter housing is configured to be disposed within the fuel tank and includes an inlet connector configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel pump. The cover is configured to be removably coupled to the first end portion of the fuel filter housing. The cover defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel outlet line. The second lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Synerject, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Leppert
  • Publication number: 20120080367
    Abstract: A fuel delivery module includes a fuel filter housing and a cover. The fuel filter housing defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a fuel filter. A first end portion of the fuel filter housing includes a flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to a fuel tank. A second end portion of the fuel filter housing is configured to be disposed within the fuel tank and includes an inlet connector configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel pump. The cover is configured to be removably coupled to the first end portion of the fuel filter housing. The cover defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel outlet line. The second lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: SYNERJECT, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. LEPPERT
  • Patent number: 8079479
    Abstract: A fuel delivery module includes a fuel filter housing and a cover. The fuel filter housing defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of a fuel filter. A first end portion of the fuel filter housing includes a flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to a fuel tank. A second end portion of the fuel filter housing is configured to be disposed within the fuel tank and includes an inlet connector configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel pump. The cover is configured to be removably coupled to the first end portion of the fuel filter housing. The cover defines a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a fuel outlet line. The second lumen is configured to fluidically couple the cavity to a regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Synerject, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Leppert
  • Publication number: 20110200472
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing defining a first cavity containing a pump, a second cavity containing a filter and a lumen configured to provide fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. The housing has a first end portion configured to be disposed within a fluid reservoir and a second end portion including a flange configured to be disposed outside of and coupled to the fluid reservoir. A surface of the first end portion defines a first opening in fluid communication with the first cavity. A surface of the second end portion defines a second opening in fluid communication with the second cavity. A cover is configured to be removably coupled to the second end portion of the housing about the second opening such that the filter can be removed from the second cavity when the flange is coupled to the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin L. LEPPERT, Jason D. Keown
  • Patent number: 7775235
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a mounting surface configured to support a mounting portion of a pressure regulator. The first portion defines a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the pressure regulator, and an opening configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity and an area outside of the first portion. The second portion includes a mounting surface configured to support the mounting portion of the pressure regulator. The second portion defines a cavity and an opening configured to provide fluid communication between the cavity of the second portion and an area outside of the second portion. The second portion is configured to be coupled to the first portion to form a fluid-tight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Synerject, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin L. Leppert, Todd M. Answine, David E. Cvengros
  • Patent number: 7617814
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a portion of a fuel pump. The housing defines a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path. The first flow path is in fluid communication with a fuel outlet portion of the fuel pump. The second flow path is in fluid communication with the first flow path. The third flow path is in fluid communication with the second flow path. A side wall of the housing defines a venturi within the second flow path at a location downstream from an intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. A flow control member is disposed within the second flow path at a location upstream from the intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. The flow control member is configured to regulate the fuel flow within the second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Synerject, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin L. Leppert
  • Publication number: 20090223492
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing configured to receive a portion of a fuel pump. The housing defines a first flow path, a second flow path and a third flow path. The first flow path is in fluid communication with a fuel outlet portion of the fuel pump. The second flow path is in fluid communication with the first flow path. The third flow path is in fluid communication with the second flow path. A side wall of the housing defines a venturi within the second flow path at a location downstream from an intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. A flow control member is disposed within the second flow path at a location upstream from the intersection of the third flow path and the second flow path. The flow control member is configured to regulate the fuel flow within the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin L. LEPPERT
  • Patent number: D932236
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L Leppert, Ernest B Pryor, Jr., Michael G Sandford